Landscaping channel liner

ABSTRACT

A landscaping channel liner is provided that includes a longitudinally-extending trough having a longitudinally-extending floor located between opposed longitudinally-extending sidewalls extending therefrom. Attachment clips extend longitudinally on each of the sidewalls opposite the floor. Each attachment clip is configured to clasp onto an adjacent attachment clip to hold adjoining channel liners together.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/158,150, filed on Mar. 6,2009, entitled “Landscaping Channel Liner. To the extent not includedbelow, the subject matter disclosed in those applications is herebyexpressly incorporated into the present application

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to landscaping apparatus and,more particularly, to a channel liner apparatus for use as a vegetationbarrier, water drainage, and/or landscaping material receptacle.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

There exist numerous instances where a channel liner is desirable forlandscaping applications. Typically, such a channel liner is used fordrainage and erosion inhibiting purposes. The channel liner can befilled with landscaping materials, such as mulch or rocks, for aestheticpurposes as well. Conventional landscaping channel liners are made froma formed material and are placed below the ground surface for lining atrench or culvert. Often the channel liners are formed in sections thatare combinable to create an extended channel liner of any desiredlength.

Edging materials are also useful for various landscaping applications.Edging material typically serves as a barrier between ground surfaces,or a ground surface and a structure. Such edging materials are placedinto the ground, often with a portion extending upward therefrom tofacilitate a barrier. Similar to landscaping channel liners, the edgingmaterial can be made from a formed material which is combinable tocreate an extended edging material barrier.

It would be beneficial to provide a landscaping channel liner as analternate configuration to perform the above-described and otherfunctions typical of such channel liners and barriers.

Accordingly, an illustrative embodiment of a landscaping channel linerapparatus of the present disclosure is provided herein. The landscapingchannel liner apparatus illustratively comprises alongitudinally-extending trough and longitudinally-extendingreceptacles. The longitudinally-extending trough has alongitudinally-extending floor located between opposedlongitudinally-extending side walls extending there from. Thelongitudinally-extending trough also has first and second opposedtransverse open ends formed from the floor and side walls. Each of theside walls defines a longitudinally-extending edge located opposite thelongitudinally-extending floor. A longitudinally-extending receptacle islocated on each longitudinally-extending edge and includes first andsecond transverse open ends. Each of the longitudinally-extending sidewalls and floor extends longitudinally beyond the first transverse openend of each of the longitudinally-extending receptacles. The firsttransverse open end of each of the longitudinally-extending receptaclesfaces the first transverse open end of the longitudinally-extendingtrough.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the landscaping channelliner apparatus may also provide: a second traverse open end of each ofthe longitudinally-extending receptacles, the open ends beingessentially flush with the second transverse open end of thelongitudinally-extending trough; first and second connectors, whereinthe first connector being partially fitted in the first transverse openend of the first longitudinally-extending receptacle and wherein thesecond connector being partially fitted in the other of thelongitudinally-extending receptacles through its first transverse openend; a portion of the first connector extending from the firsttransverse open end of one of the longitudinally-extending receptaclesand being fitted into the second transverse open end of one of thelongitudinally-extending receptacles of a second landscaping channelliner apparatus; a portion of the second connector extending from thefirst transverse open end of the other of the longitudinally-extendingreceptacles and being fitted into the other second transverse open endof the other of the longitudinally-extending receptacles of the secondlandscaping channel liner apparatus; the second transverse open end ofthe second landscaping channel liner apparatus being at least partiallyencompassed by a portion of the landscaping channel liner apparatus atthe first transverse open end; spikes that extend from at least one ofthe side walls; and first and second connectors that interference fit intheir respective longitudinally-extending receptacles.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides alandscaping channel liner apparatus which comprises alongitudinally-extending trough, receptacles, and connectors. Thelongitudinally-extending trough has a longitudinally-extending floorlocated between opposed longitudinally-extending side walls extendingthere from. The longitudinally-extending trough also has first andsecond opposed transverse open ends formed from the floor and sidewalls. Each of the side walls defines a longitudinally-extending edgelocated opposite the longitudinally-extending floor. A receptacle islocated on each of the longitudinally-extending edges. A connector isengaged to each receptacle and extends there from. Each connector isalso spaced apart from and positioned substantially parallel to thelongitudinally-extending edge of its respective wall.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the landscaping channelliner apparatus may also provide: a receptacle from a second landscapingchannel liner apparatus engaging the connector by fitting the receptaclebetween the longitudinally-extending edge and the connector; the floorof the second landscaping channel liner apparatus overlaps a portion ofthe floor of the landscaping channel liner apparatus; the floorcomprising removable portions; the removable portions being perforatedsegments; and the connector interference fits in the receptacle.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides alandscaping channel liner apparatus which comprises alongitudinally-extending trough and a selectively removable portion. Thelongitudinally-extending trough comprises a floor and at least one wallupwardly-extending therefrom. The selectively removable portion isdisposed on the floor so as to selectively form an opening therethrough.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the landscaping channelliner apparatus may also provide: the selectively removable portionbeing defined by at least one perforated seam; the selectively removableportion being a plurality of selectively removable portions; theplurality of selectively removable portions are each defined by at leastone perforated seam; and the plurality of selectively removable portionsshare a common perforated seam.

Additional features and advantages of the landscaping channel liner willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the illustrated embodimentexemplifying the best mode of carrying out the landscaping channel lineras presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to theattached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of alandscaping channel liner;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the landscaping channel liner of FIG. 1 withlandscaping material located therein;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the landscaping channel liner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a first and second landscapingchannel liner;

FIG. 5 is a side, partially cutaway, and cross-sectional view of coupledfirst and second landscaping channel liners;

FIG. 6 is an end view of an illustrative landscaping channel liner withillustrative spikes extending therefrom;

FIG. 7 is a top view of an illustrative embodiment of a landscapingchannel liner configured to accommodate a post;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the landscaping channel liner of FIG. 7with an illustrative post disposed there through;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of aplurality of landscaping channel liners configured to be combined andextend in a plurality of directions;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an additional illustrative embodimentof a landscaping channel liner;

FIG. 11 is a detail cross-sectional view of a sidewall portion of thelandscaping channel liner of FIG. 10, showing an end attachment clipformed on the sidewall;

FIG. 12 is a detail perspective exploded view of the sidewall portion offirst and second landscaping channel liners of the embodiment of FIGS.10 and 11;

FIG. 13 is a detail perspective view of the sidewall portions of thefirst and second landscaping channel liners of FIG. 12 shown attachedtogether and configured to receive a stake;

FIG. 14 is another detail cross-sectional view of the sidewall portionof the landscaping channel liner of FIG. 10 showing a stake extendingthere through; and

FIGS. 15 a-c are several views of an embodiment of a landscape edging.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplification set out hereinillustrates embodiments of the landscaping channel liner apparatus, andsuch exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of thelandscaping channel liner apparatus in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a landscapingchannel liner 2 is shown in FIG. 1. Channel liner 2 islongitudinally-extending to any variety of lengths. For example, channelliner 2 can be formed in 2, 4, 6, or 8 foot lengths. The illustrativechannel liner 2 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a longitudinally-extendingfloor 4, with longitudinally-extending side walls 6 and 8, andlongitudinally-extending receptacles 14 and 16. Channel liner 2terminates at ends 10 and 12. Side walls 6 and 8 extend generallyupwardly from floor 4. Receptacles 14 and 16 illustratively includereceptacle openings 18, 20, 22, and 24. It is appreciated that, in theillustrative embodiment, receptacles 14 and 16 are tubes that are hollowthroughout their longitudinal extent. Further in this illustrativeembodiment, at end 10, the floor 4, side wall 6 and side wall 8 extendlongitudinally from receptacle openings 18 and 20. This forms wallextensions 26 and 28.

It is appreciated that channel liner 2 may comprise any variety ofmaterials and be made by any variety of methods. Illustratively, liner 2may be formed by extruding a polyethylene material. In addition, it isappreciated that channel liner 2 may, illustratively, be flexible suchthat end 10 can be fitted within end 12 of a second channel liner 2′ toconnect the two for providing a longer channel liner. (See, also, FIGS.5 and 9.)

An end view of landscaping channel liner 2 containing landscapingmaterials, such as rocks 30, is shown in FIG. 2. An illustrative utilityof channel liner 2 is depicted in this view. The liner 2 can be used toline a channel or trench formed beneath the ground surface.Illustratively, channel or trench 32 is formed within ground 34 belowthe ground surface 36. Channel liner 2 is placed within trench 32.Illustratively, at least a portion of receptacles 14 and 16 may standabove ground surface 36, as shown in FIG. 2. This, for example, mayserve to block objects on ground surface 36, as well as provideaesthetic appeal to the placed liner 2.

A side view of a portion of channel liner 2 is shown in FIG. 3. Thisview depicts how an illustrative embodiment of receptacle opening 18does not extend to end 10. Rather, wall extension 26 extends a distancelongitudinally beyond opening 18 of receptacle 14. Also shown in thisillustrative embodiment is connector 38 that is partially disposedwithin opening 18 of receptacle 14. A portion of connector 38, extendingfrom the opening of receptacle 14, is configured to extend into acorresponding receptacle opening, such as receptacle opening 22 of end12 of a subsequent channel liner. As the illustrated embodiment furthershows, the connector extending from opening 18 is also spaced apart fromthe top edge 40 of wall extension 26. This space is indicated byreference numeral 42. The space assists in providing a tolerance betweenadjoining channel liners.

An exploded view of a plurality of channel liners 2 and 2′ is shown inFIG. 4. A utility of channel liner 2 is its ability to connect withadditional channel liners to produce a liner of any desired length.Accordingly, a first channel liner 2 couples with a second channel liner2′ via connectors 38 and 44 which are received in openings 18 and 20 atend 10 of liner 2, and openings 22 and 24 at end 12 of channel liner 2′.Because coupling end 10 of channel liner 2 with end 12 of channel liner2′ can be repeated any number of times, a resulting channel liner ofindefinite length can be achieved.

Also shown in FIG. 4 are spikes 46 and 48. Illustratively, spikes 46 and48 can be driven through side walls 6 and 8, respectively, to assist inanchoring channel liner 2 into ground 34. (See, also, FIG. 6.) Bypositioning spikes 46 and 48 into the ground 34 illustratively askew,and non-perpendicular to the ground surface 36, more surface area of thespikes serve to anchor the channel liner 2 in place. It is appreciatedthat any number of spikes can be used on the channel liner 2, and theirposition relative to liner 2 can vary.

A side, partially cut-away, and cross-sectional views of coupled firstand second channel liners 2 and 2′ are shown in FIG. 5. It iscontemplated herein for this illustrative embodiment that a portion offloor 4 and side walls 6 and 8 at end 12 of first channel liner 2receive corresponding floor 4 and side wall portions 6 and 8 of end 10of second channel liner 2′. Though channel liners 2 and 2′illustratively maintain a uniform cross-section, they can be made of aflexible material. This allows a portion of one end, including floor andside wall sections of the first channel liner, to fit within a portionof the corresponding floor and side walls of the opposite end of thesecond channel liner. This is accomplished without causing deleteriousdeformation of the portion of the second channel liner that is fittedwithin the first channel liner. It is appreciated that, in thisillustrative embodiment, either floor 4 and side walls 6 and 8 of end 12can be fitted within floor 4 and side walls 6 and 8 of end 10, or,conversely, floor 4 and side walls 6 and 8 of end 10 can be fittedwithin the walls or the floor 4 and side walls 6 and 8 of end 12. Thematerial of channel liners 2 and 2′ makes the liner flexible enough sothat openings 18 and 20 of channel liner 2 can be aligned withcorresponding openings 22 and 24 of channel liner 2′. (See, also, FIG.4.) This allows mating of openings 22 and 24 of channel liner 2′ withreceptacles 14 and 16, respectively, of channel liner 2.

An end view of an illustrative landscaping channel liner 2 located in atrench 32 with a spike 46 disposed there through is shown in FIG. 6. Inthis illustrative embodiment, spikes 46 and 48 are disposed throughwalls 6 and 8, respectively, and into ground 34. (See, also, FIG. 3.)With the spikes being disposed through the side walls 6 and 8, asopposed to the floor 4, they can provide an anchor for preventingchannel liner 2 from migrating upward out of the trench 32. In thisillustrative embodiment, a hammer 50 or similar device can be used todrive spikes 46 and 48 through the side walls and into the ground 34.

Another illustrative embodiment of channel liner 2 is shown in FIGS. 7and 8. The top view of a portion of channel liner 2 is shown in FIG. 7.In this illustrative embodiment, a plurality of removable portions 52,54, 56, and 58 is disposed in floor 4. In the illustrative embodiment,removable portions 52 through 58 are defined by perforated edges. In oneillustrative embodiment, all removable portions 52 through 58 share acommon perforated edge, identified by reference number 60, as shown inFIG. 7. The plurality of movable portions 52 through 58 are of differentsizes to accommodate posts of corresponding different sizes.Accordingly, a removable portion is chosen to be removed based on thesize of the post. The perforations defining the selected removableportion are broken to form an opening 62, as illustratively shown inFIG. 8. Opening 62 receives post 64. Illustratively, a seam 66 can bedisposed through flooring 4 illustratively from end 10 to the removableportions 52 through 58 as shown in FIG. 7. Seam 66 illustrativelybisects a portion of floor 4 into sections to assist in placing channelliner 2 into ground 34 and about post 64, as shown in FIG. 8. It isappreciated, however, that the location of seam 66 on floor 4 can varydepending on the desired application.

Another illustrative embodiment of a channel liner is shown in FIG. 9.In this view a plurality of channel liners 2, 2′, and 2″ can beconnected together in such a manner that one channel liner is orientedat a different angle than another channel liner. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, channel liner 2′ is connected to channel liner2″ via angled connectors 68 and 70 that are disposed into thereceptacles of each respective channel liner, similar to that previouslydescribed. It is appreciated that the liners can be modified to createrelative angles therebetween of any desired degree.

The result in this illustrative example is that channel liner 2 extendsin direction 76, and channel liner 2″ extends in direction 78, whereindirections 76 and 78 are not coincident with respect to each other.

Another illustrative embodiment of a landscaping channel liner 100 isshown in FIGS. 10-14. Like channel liner 2, channel liner 100, islongitudinally-extendable to a variety of lengths. In addition, multiplechannel liners 100 can be connected end-to-end to produce a channelliner of any length. The illustrative embodiment of channel liner 100 iscomposed of a floor 4 with longitudinally-extending side walls 6 and 8,similar to channel liner 2. Side walls 6 and 8 extend generally upwardfrom floor 4. In contrast to receptacles 14 and 16 of channel 2,however, channel liner 100 has attachment clips 102 and 104 extendingfrom side walls 6 and 8, respectively. In this embodiment, attachmentclips 102 and 104 are configured to clasp onto adjacent clips to holdadjoining channel liners together (see FIG. 13). In one illustrativeembodiment, clips 102 and 104 extend the length of side walls 6 and 8,respectively.

The detail cross-sectional view of sidewall 8 shown in FIG. 11 depictsfurther detail about attachment clip 104. In the illustrativeembodiment, attachment clip 104 comprises a top radius section 106,tangent section 108, and tab 110. Top radius section 106 isillustratively greater than 180° so it can wrap around a secondattachment clip. This is aided by the short tangent section 108. Tab 110extending from tangent section 108 at about 45° completes clip 104. Itis appreciated that clip 104 is the same as clip 102 extending fromsidewall 6, but in mirror image. Both clips 102 and 104 are useful forconnecting to a second landscaping channel liner.

A detail exploded view of sidewall portions 8 and 8′ of first and secondchannel liners 100 and 100′, respectively, is shown in FIG. 12. Thisview shows how adjacent channel liners 100 and 100′ use clips 104 and104′ to attach them together. In the illustrative embodiment, channelliners 100 and 100′ can be identical and when overlapping each other,the top radius section 106 of channel liner 100′ clasps onto the topradius section 106 of channel 100 connecting them together. Tangentsection 108 and tab 110 assist in shrouding one clip over another,securing the two channel liners together similar in configuration tothat shown with the previous embodiment.

A detailed perspective view of sidewall portions 8 and 8′ of channelliners 100 and 100′ joined together is shown in FIG. 13. This view showsclip 104′ of liner 100′ overlapping and clasping onto clip 104 ofchannel liner 100. As indicated by reference numerals 112 and 112′,overlapping the two channel liners allow clips 102 and 104 to holdadjacent channel liners together. A stake 114 can be inserted throughboth channel liner side walls 8 and 8′ to further assist holding thechannel liners together. It is appreciated that such a stake can also beinserted through sidewall 6 for the same purpose.

As shown in FIG. 14, stake 114 extends through sidewall 8 and intoground 34. It is appreciated that stake 114 may have an ancillary affectof helping anchor channel liner 100 in ground 34, while at the same timeanchoring adjacent channel liners to each other. This view alsoillustratively shows fill material 116 that can be received in thechannel liner and separated from ground 34.

Various views of a landscape edging 120, similar to the sidewall 8portion of the previous embodiment, are shown in FIGS. 15 a-c. Inaddition, an angled flap 122 helps anchor the edging into ground 34.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference toparticular means, materials, and embodiments, from the foregoingdescription, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essentialcharacteristics of the present disclosure and various changes andmodifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristicswithout departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

1. A landscaping channel liner comprising: a longitudinally-extendingtrough having a longitudinally-extending floor located between opposedlongitudinally-extending sidewalls extending therefrom; wherein thelongitudinally extending floor is configured to be supported, by groundin a channel, along its length; attachment clips extend longitudinallyon each of the sidewalls opposite the floor; wherein each attachmentclip is configured to clasp onto an adjacent attachment clip to holdadjoining channel liners together; wherein each attachment clipcomprises top radius, tangent, and tab sections; wherein the top radiussection is greater than about 180° and located adjacent the tangentsection so the attachment clip will wrap around the adjacent attachmentclip; and wherein the tab extends from tangent section at about 45°.